Abdominal Pain

"When I got to school, my
stomach did a lot of back flips because of all of the
new foods. I miss my mom's cooking."

John L., Notre Dame
University

The abdomen is the body
region between the lower ribs and the pelvis that contains many vital
organs:

Abdominal pain can range from
mild to severe: be dull or sharp; acute or chronic. Acute pain is sudden
pain. Chronic pain can be constant or pain that recurs over time. The type
of pain, its location, and other symptoms that come with it help suggest the
cause.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

There are many causes of
abdominal pain. Common ones in students and
the symptoms that accompany them are listed
below.

ConstipationConstipation results from not drinking enough fluids, not eating
enough dietary fiber, not being active enough, and from misusing laxatives.
Symptoms of constipation are:

A hard time passing stool, not being able
to pass stool, and/or having very hard stools

Straining to have a bowel movement

Abdominal swelling or feeling of continued
fullness after passing stool

GastroenteritisGastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining
of the stomach and intestines. Causes include having an intestinal virus,
food poisoning, and drinking contaminated water or too much alcohol.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

Abdominal pain or
cramping

Nausea and/or vomiting

Diarrhea

Fever and/or chills

It may be hard to tell from
symptoms if you have an intestinal virus or food poisoning. Suspect food
poisoning if others who have eaten the same foods you did also have
symptoms.

Lactose IntoleranceLactose intolerance results from a lack of an
enzyme (lactase) needed to digest the sugar (lactose) in dairy products.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance are:

Abdominal cramping, pain, and bloating
after drinking milk or eating other dairy products

Peptic UlcerA peptic ulcer is an ulcer in the stomach or
first section of the small intestine. Symptoms include:

A gnawing or burning
pain between the breastbone and navel. This is the most common symptom.
The pain often occurs between meals and in the morning. It may last from
a few minutes to a few hours and may be relieved with eating or
antacids.

Loss of appetite and
weight loss

Nausea or vomiting
dark, red blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Bloody, black, or tarry
stools

The 2 most common factors associated with peptic ulcers are:

An infection with
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.

The repeated use of aspirin
and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as
over-the-counter and prescribed ibuprofen.

Peptic ulcers are not caused
by stress, but stress can aggravate them. (See “Stress”.)

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. The key is knowing when it’s just a minor
problem like a mild stomach ache or when it’s something worse. Pain that
persists can be a sign of a medical condition or illness. Very severe
abdominal pain usually requires immediate medical care.

Questions to Ask

Is the abdominal pain very severe? Is the pain so bad
that you can’t move or gets a lot worse when you move?

Menstrual cramps severe enough to keep you from going to classes
or to work nearly every month

Self-Care/Prevention

To Help Ease Pain in General:

Place a hot water bottle or a
heating pad, set on low, over the area of
pain.

Find a comfortable position.
Relax.

Take an over-the-counter
medicine for pain that does not cause stomach
upset. (See “OTC Medications”)

Don’t wear tight-fitting
clothes.

Don’t do strenuous exercise.

Eat foods as tolerated.

For Constipation:Eat foods high in fiber:
Bran; whole-grain breads and cereals; and fresh fruits
and vegetables.

Drink at least 11/2
to 2 quarts of water and other liquids every day. Hot water, tea, or
coffee may help stimulate the bowel.

Get plenty of exercise.

Don’t resist the urge to have
a bowel movement.

Antacids and iron supplements
can be binding.If you get constipated easily,
discuss the use of these with your provider.

Don’t use “stimulant”
laxatives, such as Ex-Lax, or enemas without your
provider’s okay.Long-term use of them can
make you even more constipated and lead to
a mineral imbalance and reduced
nutrient absorption. If needed, take an
over-the-counter bulk-forming laxative, such as Metamucil.